The Process of a Blessed Life

3) God cuts what's working, not just what's broken

Genesis 12:1–2 (NIV) The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father's household to a land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”

Fine isn't the same as fruitful.

Growth doesn't just mean adding new things; sometimes it means releasing old ones.

4) Blessing grows through surrender, not comfort

James 1:2–4 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Pain → Process → Purpose

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV) For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

The pressure you're feeling might be the proof you're growing.

5) What God removes always makes room for something better.

Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Job 42:10, 12 (NIV) After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before... The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former part.

What feels like decrease now is often the setup for double later.

Galatians 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

The cut isn't the end of your story, it's the evidence that your next season is about to bloom